UCL Last 16: What Barcelona, Milan, Atletico and other teams need to do to qualify
As the last group stage games in this season Champions League start on Tuesday,there is still slim hope that the likes of Barcelona, Milan, or Atletico or Porto could still make it to the next round.
While the likes of Ajax, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Sporting, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Chelsea all booked their place in the last 16.
There is still plenty to be played for for some teams and we will try and break down all the possibilities from all the groups.
Group A
Remaining fixtures
December 7
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City
Paris Saint-Germain vs Club Brugge
Manchester City: Secured a place in the last 16 with an impressive 2-1 victory over PSG and will top the group.
Paris Saint-Germain: Club Brugge’s 5-0 defeat to RB Leipzig meant PSG secured a knockout place despite losing in Manchester.
Club Brugge: Needed to win their final two games and now need to better Leipzig’s result on the final day for a Europa League place.
RB Leipzig: Eliminated from the Champions League. Can secure a Europa League place with a win over City thanks to their superior head-to-head record over Club Brugge.
Group B
Remaining fixtures
December 7
Porto vs Atletico Madrid
AC Milan vs Liverpool
Liverpool: Have already qualified as group winners.
Porto: Victory over Atletico Madrid will guarantee them a top two finish. If they draw, they need Milan to fail to beat Liverpool.
AC Milan: Need to beat Liverpool to secure a top two place. Their inferior head-to-head record with Porto means a draw can only get them a Europa League spot.
Atletico Madrid: Defeat against AC Milan last time out means their hopes of securing a last 16 spot are out of their hands. Must beat Porto and hope Milan lose against Liverpool.
Group C
Remaining fixtures
December 7
Ajax vs Sporting
Borussia Dortmund vs Besiktas
Ajax: Have qualified as group winners.
Sporting: Secured a place in the knockout stage for only the second time ever with victory over Dortmund.
Dortmund: Eliminated from the Champions League and will now look forward to playing in the Europa League.
Besiktas: Are out of Europe after five defeats from five.
Group D
Remaining fixtures
December 7
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sheriff
Real Madrid: Are through to the last 16 and will win the group if they avoid defeat against Inter Milan.
Inter Milan: Also through to the last 16 and can win the group if they are victorious in their final-day decider against Los Blancos.
Sheriff: European minnows are out of the Champions League but will play in this season’s Europa League knockout stage.
Shakhtar Donetsk: Out of Europe altogether after just one point from five games.
Group E
Remaining fixtures
December 8
Bayern Munich vs Barcelona, Benfica vs Dynamo Kyiv
Bayern Munich: Have already qualified as group winners.
Barcelona: Need to win at Bayern Munich to secure a knockout place but will also qualify if Benfica fail to beat Dynamo Kyiv.
Benfica: Their superior head-to-head record over Barcelona means they will qualify if they beat Dynamo and Barca fail to beat Bayern.
Dynamo Kyiv: Have been eliminated from Europe.
Group F
Remaining fixtures
December 8
Manchester United vs Young Boys
Atalanta vs Villarreal
Manchester United: Have qualified as group winners following two victories over second-placed Villarreal.
Villarreal: Will secure second if they avoid defeat at Atalanta.
Atalanta: Have to beat Villarreal to stay in the Champions League, while a point will secure a Europa League place.
Young Boys: Are eliminated from the Champions League. Can claim third if they beat Manchester United and Atalanta lose to Villarreal.
Group G
Remaining fixtures
December 8 — FC Salzburg vs Sevilla, Wolfsburg vs Lille
Lille: Will qualify if they avoid defeat in Germany. Victory assures top spot, while a loss will see them drop into the Europa League.
FC Salzburg: Can secure a last 16 spot by avoiding defeat against Sevilla. Can win the group with a victory if Lille drop points. Defeat for the Austrians would mean they would need Wolfsburg to fail to beat Lille to earn a place in the Europa League.
Sevilla: Need to beat Salzburg to stand a chance of progressing to the last 16. Victory could yet earn top spot were Lille to lose. A draw could result in Europa League qualification if Wolfsburg fail to win.
Wolfsburg: Despite currently being bottom, they will finish no lower than second if they beat Lille. Cannot finish third and will be eliminated if they fail to win.
Despite currently being bottom of their group, Wolsfburg can still qualify as winners if they beat Lille
Group H
Remaining fixtures
December 8 — Zenit St Petersburg vs Chelsea, Juventus vs Malmo
Chelsea: Have already qualified for the last 16 and will go through as group winners if they match Juventus’ result against Malmo.
Juventus: Are also safely through but need to better Chelsea’s result against Zenit to win the group.
Zenit St Petersburg: Are guaranteed a place in the Europa League.
Malmo: Have been eliminated from Europe.
